University of Tasmania
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

Trace element concentrations in feathers of seven petrels (Pterodroma spp.)

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-20, 00:43 authored by Philpot, SM, Jennifer Lavers, Nugegoda, D, Gilmour, ME, Hutton, I, Alexander BondAlexander Bond
Gadfly petrels (Pterodroma spp.) are one of the most threatened and poorly studied seabird groups, and as marine predators, are exposed to biomagnified and bioaccumulated chemical pollutants from their prey.We quantified trace element concentrations in breast feathers of seven petrel species that breed in the southern hemisphere to quantify current concentrations. Selenium (Se) concentrations were significantly lower in chicks than adults; this was not observed for zinc (Zn) or lead (Pb). Overall, the species examined here exhibited similar concentrations of Se, with Pb and Zn concentrations more variable among species. The mean Se concentration in adult birds exceeded those thought to be potentially deleterious, and three species had concentrations that were above the assumed threshold for Pb toxicity. Further investigation of potentially toxic trace elements in gadfly petrels is warranted.

History

Publication title

Environmental Science and Pollution Research

Volume

26

Issue

10

Pagination

9640-9648

ISSN

0944-1344

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

Ecomed Publishers

Place of publication

Rudolf-Diesel-Str 3, Landsberg, Germany, D-86899

Rights statement

Copyright 2019 Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Biodiversity in Antarctic and Southern Ocean environments; Marine biodiversity